Our work is about the book ‘The catcher in the rye’ released in 1951 by Jerome Salinger. From the very beginning of its existence it was shocking and offending older group of readers, but teenagers used to identify themselves with a character full of doubts as Holden Caulfield, trying to pretend he’s an adult even if he’s still a child.
But what is really special about that book? What makes it so controversial and timeless? That’s what we were concerned about so an object of our was a history of the novel and what attitude it had and still have nowadays. We went back in the time to murder of John Lennon, where the assassin said his action was ‘inspired’ by the book ‘The catcher in the rye’, we browsed through the letters from book’s fans to its author, we read and went through the story of Jerome Salinger’s life and found some information for the book, critics.
All things we did were to find out why this book had such an impact on Americans of the 20th century. We included our evidences and conclusions in our presentation to show what we found about the topic.
Murder of John Lennon:
The book The Catcher in the Rye had a great influence on the society. For example Mark David Chapman is responsible for John Lennon’s death. Chapman went to New York in October 1980 planning to kill Lennon, but he had to leave for a short while to get ammunition from his friend Dana Reeves in Atlanta. Then he returned to New York and bought a copy of The Catcher in the Ryein a book store. After that he went to find John Lennon at the Record Plant Studios around 5:00 pm. As Lennon was walking to his limousine Chapman shook hands with him, while holding a copy of John Lennon's new album called “Double Fantasy” for him to sign. Later at 10:49 pm Lennon returned to his apartment. There Chapman fired five bullets from a revolver that he had purchased in Hawaii. Four of the bullets hit Lennon in the back and shoulder. Chapman remained at the scene, he took out his copy of The Catcher in the Rye and read it until the police arrived.
WHY IS 'THE CATCHER IN THE RYE'BANNED?
The Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D.Salinger, was banned in many countries in the 20th century. The book generally talking about Holden Caulfield's, the protagonist, life. In the book, Holden Caulfied is about in the transition from childhood to adolescence; he thinks childhood is innocent, and the adult society is full of “phoniness”. Throughout the novel, Holden has faced various events on the way home, particularly in New York City, and reflected on each event. ‘The Catcher in the rye” “wins” the “runner-up” after The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, according to the American Library Association (__//1//__).
Reasons for banning this book are several; however, all of the criticisms have tied to the word usages and sexual contents in the book. The first reason why ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ is one the most challenged books is the language usages. The books contains a lot of slang, cursing and swearing words such as “fuck”, “goddamn” and “Chrissake”. At that time, most of parents did not want those words to reveal to their children both at school and at home. In fact, a parent in California counted 295 times the God’s name was said; another parent in Washington also found that the number of profanities is 785 in the book __(2)__. The other reason issexual contents. Sexuality is not censored in real life; however, many parents did not want their kids to be exposed to the sexuality. Throughout the novel, Holden talks about sex in his school and the society. For example, in the beginning of the novel, Holden mentions his friend Stradlater having sex with some girls in Ed Banky’s car (Chapter 7) __(3)__.
The Catcher in the Rye was often compared to other classic literature, especially Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry Finn and Holden Caulfield are adolescent from two distinctive periods of time; however, their characteristics are somehow in common. Both of these characters are runaway narrators, struggling with number of problems in the recent society. These two works are remarkable at each of the time, yet they are banned or restricted. The reason for that is Mark Twain and Salinger have brought up the other side of society, which is real. The society was portrayed directly and truly in these two novels and because of that, these novels were not allowed in many school libraries over the world during 20th century.
Holden Caulfield characteristics:Holden is an innocent adolescent caught in the body of an adult ; he likes to paw girls, but he is virgin; he loves a few people passionately, but he does not “like anything that’s happening”. This voice of “Holden Caulfied offers a modern version of Huck Finn. Though Huck hails from a Missouri riverside hamlet in 1840s and Holden inhabits an upper-class world of urbane privilege, both relate to “sivilization” as alienated misfits. But neither is a rebel. They have no desire overthrow system, however oppressed they might feel. As conflicted loners, they want out; they need to get away and seek a space that combines motion and peace: they long for a non-contingent existence” (J.D.Salinger-A Study of the Short Fiction, Toward The Catcher in the Rye-p.23-24).
The Freedomain Radio Review:
Copyright 2005-2010 by Freedomain Radio. All rights reserved.
Letters from teenage fans and readers:
=== ===
Many teenagers relate themselves to Holden because of a deep understanding of his situation. Stunning form of the book with bold and offensive language was criticized but young people found this special connection with Holden. Trip from childhood to adolescents makes this book really close to every person in Holde’s age or situation. Why it had such an impact on young people? Because it showed the flesh-and-blood reality, just like in the real life.
J.D. Salinger's book also had an influence on cinematography. There were some films about similar topics like teenagers puberty, changes in their lives and rebellious approach but two of them are based on 'The catcher in the rye':
-A rebel without a cause,
- The Breakfast Club,
What is really interesting fact, J.D. Salinger didn't want his book to be made into film. He wanted readers to imagine themselves a character like Holden Caulfield.
Quiz:When 'The catcher in the rye' was published? What were two basic reasons of banning the book? What is the name of the book very similar to 'The catcher in the rye' released long before it, written by Mark Twain? Do you know the name of the movie talking about similar problems as Holden had?
Introduction:
Our work is about the book ‘The catcher in the rye’ released in 1951 by Jerome Salinger. From the very beginning of its existence it was shocking and offending older group of readers, but teenagers used to identify themselves with a character full of doubts as Holden Caulfield, trying to pretend he’s an adult even if he’s still a child.But what is really special about that book? What makes it so controversial and timeless? That’s what we were concerned about so an object of our was a history of the novel and what attitude it had and still have nowadays.
We went back in the time to murder of John Lennon, where the assassin said his action was ‘inspired’ by the book ‘The catcher in the rye’, we browsed through the letters from book’s fans to its author, we read and went through the story of Jerome Salinger’s life and found some information for the book, critics.
All things we did were to find out why this book had such an impact on Americans of the 20th century. We included our evidences and conclusions in our presentation to show what we found about the topic.
Murder of John Lennon:
The book The Catcher in the Rye had a great influence on the society. For example Mark David Chapman is responsible for John Lennon’s death. Chapman went to New York in October 1980 planning to kill Lennon, but he had to leave for a short while to get ammunition from his friend Dana Reeves in Atlanta. Then he returned to New York and bought a copy of The Catcher in the Rye in a book store. After that he went to find John Lennon at the Record Plant Studios around 5:00 pm. As Lennon was walking to his limousine Chapman shook hands with him, while holding a copy of John Lennon's new album called “Double Fantasy” for him to sign. Later at 10:49 pm Lennon returned to his apartment. There Chapman fired five bullets from a revolver that he had purchased in Hawaii. Four of the bullets hit Lennon in the back and shoulder. Chapman remained at the scene, he took out his copy of The Catcher in the Rye and read it until the police arrived.
WHY IS 'THE CATCHER IN THE RYE' BANNED?
The Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D.Salinger, was banned in many countries in the 20th century. The book generally talking about Holden Caulfield's, the protagonist, life. In the book, Holden Caulfied is about in the transition from childhood to adolescence; he thinks childhood is innocent, and the adult society is full of “phoniness”. Throughout the novel, Holden has faced various events on the way home, particularly in New York City, and reflected on each event. ‘The Catcher in the rye” “wins” the “runner-up” after The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, according to the American Library Association (__//1//__).
Reasons for banning this book are several; however, all of the criticisms have tied to the word usages and sexual contents in the book. The first reason why ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ is one the most challenged books is the language usages. The books contains a lot of slang, cursing and swearing words such as “fuck”, “goddamn” and “Chrissake”. At that time, most of parents did not want those words to reveal to their children both at school and at home. In fact, a parent in California counted 295 times the God’s name was said; another parent in Washington also found that the number of profanities is 785 in the book __(2)__. The other reason is sexual contents. Sexuality is not censored in real life; however, many parents did not want their kids to be exposed to the sexuality. Throughout the novel, Holden talks about sex in his school and the society. For example, in the beginning of the novel, Holden mentions his friend Stradlater having sex with some girls in Ed Banky’s car (Chapter 7) __(3)__.
The Catcher in the Rye was often compared to other classic literature, especially Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry Finn and Holden Caulfield are adolescent from two distinctive periods of time; however, their characteristics are somehow in common. Both of these characters are runaway narrators, struggling with number of problems in the recent society. These two works are remarkable at each of the time, yet they are banned or restricted. The reason for that is Mark Twain and Salinger have brought up the other side of society, which is real. The society was portrayed directly and truly in these two novels and because of that, these novels were not allowed in many school libraries over the world during 20th century.
Holden Caulfield characteristics: Holden is an innocent adolescent caught in the body of an adult ; he likes to paw girls, but he is virgin; he loves a few people passionately, but he does not “like anything that’s happening”.
This voice of “Holden Caulfied offers a modern version of Huck Finn. Though Huck hails from a Missouri riverside hamlet in 1840s and Holden inhabits an upper-class world of urbane privilege, both relate to “sivilization” as alienated misfits. But neither is a rebel. They have no desire overthrow system, however oppressed they might feel. As conflicted loners, they want out; they need to get away and seek a space that combines motion and peace: they long for a non-contingent existence” (J.D.Salinger-A Study of the Short Fiction, Toward The Catcher in the Rye-p.23-24).
The Freedomain Radio Review:
Copyright 2005-2010 by Freedomain Radio. All rights reserved.
Letters from teenage fans and readers:
=== ===Many teenagers relate themselves to Holden because of a deep understanding of his situation. Stunning form of the book with bold and offensive language was criticized but young people found this special connection with Holden. Trip from childhood to adolescents makes this book really close to every person in Holde’s age or situation. Why it had such an impact on young people? Because it showed the flesh-and-blood reality, just like in the real life.
__http://204.232.203.158/letters/index.php?page=letters&tpl=letters__
Stela Maksutaj Sep 28, 2010, 3rd paragraph
Gianpiero Sep 28, 2010, 1st paragraph
Anonymous Sep 28, 2010, 1st paragraph
Pages used:
Biography
GoogleLetters from teenagers
Videos
Inspired movies:
J.D. Salinger's book also had an influence on cinematography. There were some films about similar topics like teenagers puberty, changes in their lives and rebellious approach but two of them are based on 'The catcher in the rye':
-A rebel without a cause,
- The Breakfast Club,
What is really interesting fact, J.D. Salinger didn't want his book to be made into film. He wanted readers to imagine themselves a character like Holden Caulfield.
Quiz:When 'The catcher in the rye' was published? What were two basic reasons of banning the book? What is the name of the book very similar to 'The catcher in the rye' released long before it, written by Mark Twain? Do you know the name of the movie talking about similar problems as Holden had?